Harmonizing Agent

The driver parked the car and opened the door for Shen Jingye.

The access control administrator opened the door for Shen Jingye.

The two section chiefs, who were originally walking behind Shen Jingye, jogged ahead, pressed the elevator button, and blocked the elevator door for Shen Jingye.

Upon entering the office, Shen Jingye looked out the window at the scenery and took a sip of tea.

As of now, there is still no news about Li Qi, and it cannot be confirmed that he is gone, but we should make the necessary preparations.

The previous Balance Person, Chen Weixin, disappeared for a long time, which put many tasks in a passive position. This time, we must avoid a similar situation.

"Li Qi's whereabouts are unknown, and he is unable to fulfill his duties Balance Person. The search for him must continue, but we must also begin the process of finding the next Balance Person."

Shen Jingye is currently preparing a speech. He certainly won't write it himself, but he will provide his secretary with some guidance.

To prevent the content from going astray.

"I am deeply saddened by the consequences of Li Qi's unauthorized actions. While reflecting deeply on this, we must also be soberly aware that a weak sense of discipline and overall situation is a common problem among almost all Balance Person. We can understand the impact of the harsh environment in Pro State on Balance Person, but at the same time, we must strengthen the constraints on them."

Drip drip drip drip~

The landline call interrupted Shen Jingye's thoughts. After glancing at the caller ID, Shen Jingye's cheek twitched.

He answered the phone and heard the last thing he wanted to hear:

"Little Shen, come to my office."

Within the Dark Star Bureau, there was only one person who called him Little Shen —

After hanging up the landline, Shen Jingye called the receptionist, "When did Director Li arrive? Why wasn't this reported promptly?"

The receptionist was stumped by the question and couldn't answer it for a long time. Shen Jingye hung up the phone and asked several deputy directors and section chiefs. Surprisingly, none of them had received the message that Li Qi had come to work.

Shen Jingye rubbed his forehead, feeling a bit down, when Li Qi called again, "Little Shen, why haven't you come yet? How long do you want me to wait? You need to straighten out your work attitude!"

Ten minutes later, Shen Jingye arrived at Li Banfeng's office.

Despite his dissatisfaction and disappointment, Shen Jingye still had to show concern for his colleague. "Xiao Li, you really worried me! What happened?"

Li Banfeng smiled and said, "I was just about to tell you about the incident. Don't rush, let's sit down and talk slowly. Who led the Public Security Team to the textile factory yesterday?"

Shen Jingye said, "It's Deputy Director Wang; this is the work he's in charge of."

Li Banfeng then asked, "Was this Deputy Director Wang's spontaneous action, or was it under your orders?"

Shen Jingye was a little angry and was about to argue with Li Banfeng, but he changed his words and said, "Director Wang's actions are in fulfilling his duties and completing the mission assigned to him by the bureau."

That's experience, that's ability.

By presenting these words from a different angle, we prevented Li Qi from making a fuss about it.

Even if Li Qi still wanted to argue, he certainly shouldn't debate Director Wang's responsibilities, much less question the bureau's decision.

Li Banfeng frowned and said, "Little Shen, can't you explain this clearly?"

Shen Jingye didn't know how to answer; Li Banfeng was completely going against his train of thought.

Li Banfeng continued, "If you can't explain it clearly, I'll call Director Wang over as well."

Shen Jingye still couldn't answer.

Li Banfeng picked up the landline and dialed Director Wang's number. "Xiao Wang, come to my office."

An hour later, four bureau chiefs were sitting in Li Banfeng's office.

Director Liu, who was in charge of the Restricted Area management, was the first to receive the news. The drone patrolling the Restricted Area of Ruirong Textile Factory discovered unidentified smoke. After investigation, it was found that the smoke came from a cigarette butt.

At that time, textile factories had been banned from entering, so where did this cigarette butt come from?

Director Liu relayed the information to Director Zhang, who was in charge of the investigation. Director Zhang dispatched a drone to search the area and found several suspicious individuals at the scene. These individuals were active in the vicinity of Workshop 3 and Workshop 5.

Director Zhang immediately reported the situation to Director Shen. Director Shen attached great importance to this incident and summoned Director Wang, who was in charge of the Public Security Team, to work with Director Liu and Director Zhang to develop an action plan and organize the operation.

The staff sent the drone footage to Li Banfeng's office. Li Banfeng watched the first set of videos and saw a cigarette butt, but it wasn't left by Li Banfeng and his team.

The Light Bulb and the Star did not enter the factory area, and Li Banfeng and Tangyuan did not smoke in the factory area. The time when the cigarette butt was found on the surveillance video was 9:30 pm, but Li Banfeng did not arrive at the textile factory until 10 pm, so the time does not match.

Let's watch the second set of videos.

This video was taken by a drone. At 9:45, the drone captured five people appearing in the factory compound.

The five people were all dressed in black long gowns and hats, completely covered from head to toe, and they also wore gas masks.

They flashed past the courtyard and then entered Workshop Six, Workshop Six cameras did not capture their images.

Director Zhang stated, "Based on my many years of experience in investigative work, this group of people should have invisibility abilities, or they may be carrying Dark Energy Carrier that enables them to become invisible. Of course, we cannot rule out the possibility that they interfered with the surveillance equipment."

As he spoke, Director Zhang would glance at Li Banfeng from time to time, seemingly demonstrating his professional competence.

Li Banfeng made no comment on Director Zhang's professional abilities, as everything he had said was nonsense. After reviewing the surveillance footage, Li Banfeng asked a question, "Were the cigarette butts that appeared in the surveillance footage left by this group?"

Director Zhang spoke very cautiously, "There was some saliva on the cigarette butt, and it is still being tested. Before the test results are available, we cannot be completely certain of the source of the cigarette butt, but based on the current clues, it is highly likely that the cigarette butt was left by them."

Li Banfeng looked at Director Zhang and said, "How can you smoke while wearing a gas mask?"

Director Zhang also knew that this detail was not reasonable. "The inference we can make at present is that they put on gas masks after entering the factory area."

"You mean, before putting on their masks, they took a smoke to relax and left the cigarette butts on the ground?" Li Qi continued to stare at Director Zhang.

Director Zhang did not respond. The issue of the cigarette butt was indeed difficult to explain, but the reasoning behind the whole process was basically flawless.

Not only is he flawless, but no one else can find fault with him either.

Unidentified individuals trespassed into a Restricted Area, which has been home to numerous dangerous unidentified creatures. Under such circumstances, taking emergency measures is reasonable and in accordance with regulations.

Shen Jingye looked at Li Banfeng and said, "Director Li, we have already explained this matter clearly. Now I need you to give me a reasonable explanation. Why did you—"

He wanted to ask Li Banfeng why he had led the Public Security Team into the Restricted Area, but before he could finish speaking, Li Banfeng interrupted him.

Li Banfeng said, "There are serious problems in your work, and this has not been explained clearly yet."

Shen Jingye was very patient. "Please explain in detail what exactly is our problem?"

Li Banfeng said, "Little Liu found the cigarette butt and notified Xiao Zhang. Xiao Zhang then found a suspicious person and notified you. You then directly notified the Public Security Team. Do you think there's nothing wrong with this?"

Shen Jingye calmly replied, "This is in accordance with the division of responsibilities and the normal work process. I don't understand where the problem lies."

Li Banfeng said, "The problem is, why didn't anyone notify me?"

Shen Jingye's face darkened as he said, "Director Li, this is not within your scope of responsibility."

Li Banfeng asked, "What is my scope of work?"

Shen Jingye couldn't answer directly because he hadn't specified the division of labor for Li Banfeng.

"This matter still needs to be discussed and decided through a meeting."

Li Banfeng said, "You didn't assign me any tasks, which proves that you have a problem."

Shen Jingye was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Yes, this is my problem. What are you planning to do about it?"

"Considering this is your first offense, write a self-criticism." Li Banfeng prepared paper and pen.

"I'm not in the mood to play your nonsense!" With those words, Shen Jingye got up and left Li Banfeng's office.

Upon reaching the corridor, Shen Jingye saw centipedes crawling all over the floor.

Li Banfeng sat at his desk and explained, "These are samples I brought back from the textile factory. I haven't had time to send them to the lab yet. One of our Public Security Team was bitten by one of these things and is still in the hospital."

"Little Shen, be careful where you step."

Shen Jingye gave a cold laugh.

This is a centipede brought back from the textile factory.

Would I believe such an absurd lie?

Shen Jingye returned to Li Banfeng's office and sat back down on the sofa.

The sound of crawling came from the lining of the leather sofa. Li Banfeng reminded Shen Jingye, "I'm not very familiar with the methods and procedures for preserving samples. These samples are too lively; they're crawling everywhere."

Watching the unidentified creatures moving back and forth in the leather sofa, Shen Jingye fell into deep thought.

Li Qi really dares to bring this kind of thing into the office?

Even if he's not afraid of breaking the rules, doesn't he care about his own safety?

Don't fall for his tricks or be threatened by him. He must have used Dark Energy Carrier that can produce hallucinations, just like the situation in the meeting room where we couldn't leave.

With a firm resolve, Shen Jingye remained on the sofa for a minute.

Then he pulled up a chair, went to the table, and began writing a self-criticism.

Don't argue with Li Qi; he's mentally unstable. If he really brings the centipede in, and it bites,

The cost would be too high.

Shen Jingye started writing, and Li Banfeng looked at the other three bureau chiefs. "You guys shouldn't just stand around either. Don't you bear any responsibility at all?"

As they were talking, more than a dozen centipedes crawled out of the sofa and landed at their feet.

Director Liu, Director Wang, and Director Zhang glanced at Li Qi with contemptuous smiles, then picked up paper and pen and began writing self-criticisms while leaning over the coffee table.

The self-criticism was written and handed to Li Qi for review.

The self-criticisms of Director Shen, Director Zhang, and Director Liu were of acceptable quality, so Li Banfeng let them go.

Director Wang's self-criticism was not insightful enough, so Li Qi punished him by making him rewrite it.

Having learned their lesson, and with an important meeting scheduled for the afternoon, the conference affairs department, worried about offending Li Qi, sent the agenda over for review in advance.

Li Banfeng wasn't particularly interested in the meeting, but one topic caught his attention.

This issue concerns the handling of two members of the Public Security Team.

One is Chen Changrui, whose situation is already clear to Li Banfeng, and the outcome he faces is a job reassignment.

Another case is Qin Minghui, whose problem was the illegal use of Harmonizing Agent, and he faces expulsion.

Putting aside the topic, Li Banfeng dialed Qin Minghui's landline.

The landline went unanswered; Qin Minghui was not at his workstation.

He was in Director Wang's office.

Director Wang was sitting, while he was standing.

"Xiao Qin, you don't need to say much about this, and don't have any illusions. You're already lucky that things have turned out this way."

Qin Minghui remained silent. He did not plead with Director Wang; it was Director Wang who called him over.

Director Wang called Qin Minghui over not to give Qin Minghui a chance to correct his mistakes, but because he had just written two self-criticisms for Li Banfeng.

Director Wang is a person who knows how to maintain his health; when he's upset, he needs to vent.

He earnestly admonished Qin Minghui: "Law enforcement officers who knowingly break the law are, in my view, committing an unforgivable crime. Letting you go is already being lenient with you."

At best, your actions have damaged the reputation of the entire Public Security Team; at worst, you've tarnished the image of the entire Dark Star organization!

After being lectured for more than half an hour, Qin Minghui left the office and encountered Light Bulb in the corridor.

The Light Bulb stepped forward and comforted him, saying, "You're Chuunibyou, don't take it to heart. Let's try again somewhere else."

Qin Minghui smiled and nodded.

The Light Bulb then asked, "What are your plans for the next step?"

Qin Minghui shook his head. He hadn't decided yet. As Dark Energy User, he would face many limitations in terms of employment.

Moreover, he cannot leave Yuezhou unless under special circumstances.

After chatting for a few minutes, Old Sun, who was in charge of logistics for the Public Security Team, came over. "Xiao Qin, go and tidy up the lockers in the changing room. The new recruits will be here soon, so hurry up and make room."

Old Sun is about to retire, and the department assigned him a cushy job, which he did quite diligently, managing the lockers in the changing room very strictly.

When Qin Minghui first arrived, he asked him for a cabinet, and it took him two whole months to go through the application process. Now, before the documents have even been issued, upon learning that Qin Minghui was going to be fired, Old Sun immediately told Qin Minghui to hand over the cabinet.

Qin Minghui was about to go to the locker room when the Light Bulb said, "Chuunibyou, I'll go with you."

Old Sun said, "He's not one of us anymore, so we can't call him by his code name anymore. 'Light Bulb,' you've been here for two years."

Do I need to remind you of the bureau's rules?

The Light Bulb turned to look at Old Sun: "What's it to you?"

Old Sun frowned and said, "What's wrong with saying something to you? You're not that old, but you have quite the temper!"

"What do you mean by 'temper'? You're just being too nosy!"

Light Bulb rarely argues with people, but today he couldn't hold back his anger. Just as the two were about to start arguing, Tangyuan walked over and said to Qin Minghui, "Chuunibyou, Director Li wants to see you."

Qin Minghui chuckled dryly, "Going to get scolded again?"

Tangyuan did not explain, "I was just relaying Director Li's orders."

Old Sun sneered from the side, "How embarrassing, truly embarrassing in a roundabout way."

Tangyuan looked at Old Sun: "Director Li said the changing room is not clean enough and asked you to clean it."

Old Sun was taken aback. "Director Li went to the changing room?"

Tangyuan nodded. "He just went for a check-up."

Old Sun didn't believe it. "Little You, you can't just make things up!"

Tangyuan said expressionlessly, "During working hours, please use code names. If you don't want to go, then wait for Director Li to come looking for you personally."

Old Sun was highly skeptical, thinking that given Director Li's status, he shouldn't care about such a trivial matter.

But Director Li's temperament was hard to guess. Old Sun grumbled all the way, but still went to the changing room.

The Light Bulb asked Tangyuan in a low voice, "Did Director Li really go to the changing room?"

Tangyuan shrugged and remained silent.

When Qin Minghui arrived at Li Qi's office, he stood obediently in front of the desk. He had gotten used to being scolded every day these days.

Li Banfeng started by asking, "Where did you get the Harmonizing Agent?"

Qin Minghui answered truthfully, "Confiscated from the Black Market."

"What are you going to do with it?"

"Eat." Qin Minghui was very frank.

Why eat this?

"To become stronger."

Why do we need to become stronger?

"To protect this world, and everything important in this world." This was Chuunibyou's answer when he first arrived at the Dark Star Bureau, and to this day, that answer remains unchanged.

Li Banfeng asked, "What is important in this world?"

After thinking for a moment, Chuunibyou shook his head. "I can't give a definition. In the textile factory, the two children who were about to be eaten by silkworms were very important to me. In the Garden Community, the residents of the apartment buildings were very important, and so on..."

Li Banfeng pointed to the chair. "Sit down, speak slowly, and explain the whole story clearly."

In the afternoon, we arrived at the conference room.

Li Qi scanned each bureau chief, who was focused on reviewing the meeting materials and didn't want to give Li Qi a second glance.

Shen Jingye chaired the meeting, and Li Qi was the first to make a suggestion. "I suggest we start with the issue of personnel management."

Shen Jingye did not emphasize the meeting process. He immediately agreed with Li Qi's suggestion. Through their time together, he had come to a conclusion: it was best not to provoke Li Qi over trivial matters.

The proposed solution has already been drafted; in principle, this kind of issue should just be a formality.

However, after the agenda was read out, Li Qi was the first to raise an objection.

He first objected to Chen Changrui's job transfer. "There is Stealth Space at Ruirong Textile Factory. Chen Changrui was unaware of the specific situation beforehand, and the main responsibility for this incident does not lie with him."

Director Wang raised a different opinion. "As the Public Security Team, conducting a thorough investigation of the scene is the foundation for carrying out the work. Taking action rashly without a sufficient understanding of the scene is itself a dereliction of duty. "Li Qi had already thought of this argument. Finding fault is the easiest thing in the world, bar none. As long as these people want to find fault, no matter how they try to justify it, it will be in vain.

Is there a way to resolve this?

Have.

Li Banfeng asked Director Wang, "Who assigned Chen Changrui to carry out this mission?"

Director Wang smiled and immediately replied, "I am acting in accordance with my assigned duties—"

Before he could finish speaking, Li Banfeng continued, "Have you conducted a thorough investigation of the site? Have you assessed the potential risks? Have you developed preventative measures for any existing hazards?"

Director Wang glanced at Shen Jingye, then turned to Li Qi and said, "I arranged for the Public Security Team to carry out related work according to Director Shen's instructions."

Li Banfeng also looked at Shen Jingye: "Have you investigated the situation on site?"

Shen Jingye lowered his head and looked at the meeting materials. "Please have the relevant departments draft a new handling opinion for this issue, and we will discuss it at the next meeting. Let's discuss the handling opinion for Qin Minghui first."

The Harmonizing Agent incident was entirely Qin Minghui's personal act, which is not easy to handle.

According to the confession of Black Market dealer Huang, Qin Minghui confiscated 700 grams of the Harmonizing Agent from him, but he only handed over 500 grams. Qin Minghui could not explain where the remaining 200 grams went.

During this period, Qin Minghui took two sick leaves, which was obviously because he felt unwell after taking the Harmonizing Agent and rested for two days.

Director Chen, who is in charge of this incident, said, "The matter is very clear. Qin Minghui has also admitted that the amount of the confiscated Harmonizing Agent is inconsistent with the amount handed over. This incident is serious in nature and has a bad influence. According to relevant regulations, this person should be dismissed."

Qin Minghui himself has already admitted it, and the matter is a foregone conclusion. It seems that no one can find an angle to defend Qin Minghui.

All eyes were on Li Qi.

They believe that Li Qi will question the rationality of the system, and this issue can be discussed, but the results of the discussion will not be of substantial significance.

Violating the existing system will result in punishment, and whether or not the system should be amended will not affect the outcome of Qin Minghui's case.

Li Qi carefully read through the meeting materials. He did not question the system, but raised objections to the event itself.

"Qin Minghui's responsibility cannot be determined based on the one-sided confession of Black Market dealer Huang."

Director Chen naturally could not accept this explanation. "This is not only Huang's confession, but Qin Minghui himself also admitted to the facts."

Li Banfeng said, "As far as I know, Qin Minghui himself was forced to admit the discrepancy in the numbers because he was threatened."

Director Chen was somewhat agitated. "Director Li, what do you mean by that? Who threatened Qin Minghui? Was it me?"

Li Banfeng shook his head and said, "He didn't say it was you. I suspect that Qin Minghui was threatened by the Black Market and had no choice but to take on responsibilities that shouldn't belong to him."

Director Chen sneered, "That's incomprehensible. He's a member of the Dark Star Bureau, so why would he be threatened by the Black Market?"

Li Qi chuckled, "This is baffling. What gives a Black Market dealer the audacity to threaten Public Security Team? Who gave him that confidence?"

As he spoke, Li Qi scanned everyone and said, "I think this Black Market should be thoroughly investigated. You can leave this matter to me."

The meeting room fell silent. Director Chen remained silent, as did everyone else.

Shen Jingye broke the silence, his tone surprisingly calm. "Xiao Li, I understand your desire to protect Qin Minghui, but the decision we've made today is also for his protection."

This matter remains within the bureau's jurisdiction; Qin Minghui has only been dismissed. If the incident escalates, Qin Minghui will face a more rigorous investigation. At that point, he won't be investigated by us, but by advanced equipment and instruments.

If the higher-ups use the Dark Energy Testing Instrument, they will find out all of Qin Minghui's dark ability change curves over the past year. Is this really the result you want to see?

Each time Qin Minghui takes the Harmonizing Agent, his dark abilities will increase abnormally. If Qin Minghui has taken the Harmonizing Agent more than once, there will be multiple irrefutable lines of evidence on the graph.

At that point, it won't be as simple as just being expelled; at that point, none of us can help him.

Without any hesitation, Shui Li Banfeng looked at Shen Jingye and said, "Little Shen, I suggest you immediately consult your superiors."

Using high-end equipment and instruments to conduct a more rigorous examination of Qin Minghui, this matter truly allows no room for ambiguity.

Shen Jingye emphasized, "Xiao Li, think it over. Any impulsive choice could ruin Qin Minghui's life."

Li Banfeng did not hesitate. "Little Shen, I have thought it over carefully. I believe that Qin Minghui did not take the Harmonizing Agent in violation of regulations. I believe that he can withstand the test in this matter."

The meeting had just ended when the news broke.

The document expelling Qin Minghui has not been issued, and Qin Minghui is still a member of the Dark Star Bureau.

Light Bulb was happy for Qin Minghui, so he took Qin Minghui to the locker room and gave Old Sun a piece of his mind.

After work, Tangyuan and Light Bulb wanted to treat Qin Minghui to dinner to celebrate.

Qin Minghui had no intention of celebrating. He secretly went to Li Qi's office and said, "Director Li, I can't accept the investigation. I've taken the Harmonizing Agent more than once. If it's found out, I'm finished."

"Don't worry, they won't be able to find out," He Jiaqing said on a remote call with Big Head inside the Ling Family Film Industry building. "Li Qi's move was right. His cultivation level is invisible; the so-called Dark Energy Testing Instrument from Outer State is just a scare tactic."

But I just don't understand, what is his relationship with this Qin Minghui? Why is he going to such lengths to protect him?

Big Head didn't understand either. "I don't know what Li Qi's intentions are, but he is indeed working very seriously in the Dark Star Bureau."

"He's so focused on things Outer State that he can't even take care of things in Pro State. Logically, this should be a good opportunity to make up for some of the previous losses, but look at my current situation—" He Jiaqing scratched his cheek, revealing a row of green blisters on his face.

Big Head said, "I have reviewed many confidential documents, but so far I have not found any information related to the Disease Cultivator."

He Jiaqing sighed, "This Daoist sect is still too rare. Any news from the medical and Medicine Cultivator factions?"

"I've found the contact information for some people, but their identities are very confidential. I'll let you know after I verify their identities."

"Brother, time is of the essence. I'll wait for your news."

After losing contact, He Jiaqing sat silently in his office for a long time.

The office door was opened, and anyone who dared to enter this room at a time like this was no ordinary person.

The newcomer was a middle-aged man, holding two walnuts in his hands. He sat down opposite He Jiaqing and said, "First Young Master..."

"You were looking for me?"

He Jiaqing said, "Brother Zhang, you should be able to tell that I've fallen victim to Green Flower's tricks, and my life may be in danger these next few days, so I wanted to borrow something from you."

Zhang Gunli rubbed the walnuts together and asked, "Can you be more explicit? Do you want to prolong your life?"

He Jiaqing nodded. "I wonder if you can lend me your life?"

Zhang Gunli accepted the walnuts and took out an IOU: "I can lend it, but the interest rate is a bit high."

PS: He Jiaqing wants to borrow a life, but what can he offer in return?